Family challenge: How many money riddles can you solve?

In the world of money, it pays to think outside the box (aka, lateral thinking). Encouraging your kids to practice lateral thinking can come in handy for their financial futures. Lateral thinkers take calculated risks, exercise curiosity and solve problems creatively. The best part: lateral thinking is also FUN.

Ready to give it a try? Sit down with your kids and train your brains with some money riddles. You’ll find the answers below — but no peeking!

1. What kind of food is nuts about money?

2. What animal always has a buck?

3. What is the richest part of the river?

4. What animal has a cent?

5. I have branches — but no trunk or leaves.

6. I have a tail and a head — but no arms or legs.

7. When does it rain money?

8. Give someone $63 using six bills (without using one-dollar bills).

9. Use eight eights to get the number 1,000 (with only addition).

10. I give away half my money and spend half of what I have left. I lose $5. I'm left with $5. How much did I start with?

11. Would you have more money if… you had a million dollars today or a penny today that doubled in value every day for 30 days?

12. You have 18 white socks and 18 blue socks. How many times do you need to reach inside your sock drawer to guarantee a matching pair?

13. Why did John go into the pizza business?

Tell us: How did your family do? Share your results on social media — and tag your friends and family to rise to the challenge! Want to take on another puzzle together? Try our finance crossword puzzle.

Answers

1. A cash-ew

2. A deer

3. The riverbank

4. A skunk

5. A bank

6. A coin

7. When there's a change in the weather

8. One $50 bill, one $5 bill and four $2 bills

9. 888 +88 +8 +8 +8

10. $40

11. A penny (After 30 days, it would be worth $5,368,709.12. Woah.)

12. Three times — you’ll get either a white or a blue sock to match with one of the other two you already grabbed

13. He wanted to make some dough.

Sources

• https://kidadl.com/articles/money-riddles-that-will-puzzle-you

• https://www.best-riddles.com/the-best-money-riddles-best-riddles-com/

• https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/brain-teasers-for-kids/

• https://riddlesbest.com/category/money-riddles